You may earn a maximum of 3 points toward your final grade by doing the above and answering the questions and submitting them on time (no later than Friday, September 15). Any worksheets submitted after the deadline will get a 0. You will be rewarded a maximum of 3 points if I judge your work to be above average. You will receive 2 points if your work is average, that is it may have a few minor mistakes in some of the answers but demonstrates correct grammar and indicates that some, but not all, of the answers, are acceptable and well expressed. You will earn only 1 point if you simply answered the questions and/or if you use poor grammar and if there are signs that you have not read the material on which your answers are based.
1. In the space below, describe the stasis at the beginning of Split Second. In other words, “Where are we?” “When is it (time, day, and year)?” “Who are the people involved?” “What is the dramatic situation in which the characters find themselves as the play unfolds?”
The play opens in the morning on the side street of 28th and 11th Avenue in New York City on July 4th. An African-American policeman, Val Johnson, and a white citizen named Willis are on the side street. Val is aiming his service revolver at Willis and both men are panting. They had just been in a foot chase. There is great tension on stage, because Val could shoot anytime. Val is yelling at Willis to "freeze" and is mocking him. Willis acts as if he is slightly annoyed by the rough word and actions. So he turns to confront Val and tries to calm him down. Ultimately, Val takes the shot.
2. What is the intrusion that causes the stasis to be broken and the dramatic action to develop, often at an increasingly rapid pace, to the end of the play? Be careful when citing the intrustion, it may not be where you initially think it is.
The intrusion in the plot occurs when Val lies to Parker. Parker continues to try to get Va to tell him what he is withholding. Following this event, Val continues to lie and lie. The lies snowball, and Val feels he can do nothing now but lie. This forces him into intense situations of interrogations by others, and honestly himself. The lie intimate conflict with himself and others and society. His position and integrity are questioned. Now, eventually he tells the truth, but that moment could be interpreted as the climax, where the lie acts as the intrusion because it causes the lies and finally the truth. Everything is born form the lies of Val, thus it springs the play into the plot and dramatic action.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor which is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place?
This day is unique, because it is the day that Val shoots Willis. Also, it is the 4th of July. This could be chosen as the date to act as a metaphor of how when Val shoots Willis he loses his independence instead of gains it. It is not often that a policeman shoots someone. Though Val was trained for anything, there is still such a low chance of it ever happening. Someone being shot by an officer in modern day America often times becomes very political. Thus the more "present" day setting showcases the issues that spur from an officer shooting a citizen.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
Will Val tell the hearing committee the truth? The whole play goes to one person to another with the audience hoping Val will tell the truth. Yet, he never does until he finally confides and cracks. Parker stresses the importance of having a coherent story for the committee, and the audience is thus worried about what Val will do when he is finally forced to face the committee and give his account.
5. Use Val to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, that is, dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what Val wants (NOTE: In Split Second the wants of Val are in flux and he is being swayed by his father, his wife, his friend, and his colleague at work. His wants seem to change as the play progresses). The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that the character encounters.
Val wants to try to forget what happened with Willis and him. He tries to avoid talking about it. He ultimately ends up lying to his closest friends and family in order to try to avoid what happened. The struggle he faces in trying to accept what he did forces him to turn away from others. He attacks himself, and he just wants t pretend nothing ever happened. As he makes up fallacious stories about what happened he makes others wary of him. Also, he sees them as possibly bringing what he did to focus to him. This conflict between individuals creates a lot of suspense and conflict between characters. Furthermore, Val begins to come to terms with what he did. He admits the truth and he wants to be rid of his internal feelings. He must stand before the internal hearing committee, and this is something he is very worried about. The play prepares for this point, and he faces society when he is in front of the committee because what he did is open to the world to judge.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Split Second.
The shooting of Val's gun. This moment is highly dramatic. Any time a gun shot is performed on stage it has a major meaning. They garner the attention of the audience, and often shock the audience. A gun shot will demand a reaction, and will help propel a plot.
The Interrogation Room with Val and Parker. This scene has Parker and Val going back and forth. Val is basically being interrogated like one of his convicts. This paints the picture that Val is in trouble and he knows it.
Val meeting with Charlie in Act II Scene III. The two meet at a bench like boys, and Charlie is drinking beer from a covered up can. This shows that they are connected at a more personal level. It creates more casual environment.
The committee meeting. In the meeting the audience is wanting to know know what Val will tell the committee. Of course he does not, and the scene has a major effect because the audience knows what truly happened.
7. Provide at least three examples of images in Split Second. How does the title of the play help us understand the images in the play? (Remember Ball says that, “An image is the use of something we know that tells us something we don’t know.” He goes on to say that images invoke and expand, rather than define and limit.”)
The gun. A gun can be used in a split second. It has the ability to completely alter someone's life instantly. It can take but never give.
Can of beer in brown paper bag. Charlie's can of beer goes to add more of a personal touch between Charlie and Val. Charlie can go from friend to cop in a split second.
The committee. The committee embodies society. They have the ability to instantly alter Val's life if they so choose. The decision they make reflects society.
The handcuffs Val uses. The handcuffs represent the end of freedom. They symbolize Val losing his liberty by trying to use them on another. Most images win this play showcase how one's life can be altered so quickly by mere actions.
8. Ordinarily, there are many themes in most plays. List the themes in Split Second.
Family - Val ultimately uses family as his reason to try his best to stay out of dire trouble. It is necessary his family have him around to make money. He is needed by them, and he needs them in his life.
A constant lie becomes truth. - Val lies about his encounter with Willis over and over. Eventually this encounter becomes a part of Val, even if he ends up admitting the truth to some. It is a part of him, and he cannot change his story now.
We need others. - Throughout the play Val tries to go through the event without letting others help him. It is important that we let others in, because often times we cannot handle the issues we face alone.
One action can change you forever. - An action can haunt someone for forever. Val's decision to shoot and kill Willis changes the course of his life instantly. All actions have consequences
9. Most American plays have something to do with family and/or family relationships. What does family have to do with the dramatic action in Split Second?
Val bases his decision to withhold the truth form the committee on his family. He believes it is so important that he is able to provide for his family. He cannot do this if he is convicted by the committee. He confides in his family, and they act as what some may call collaborators. This play showcases that family bonds are often more important to us than the truth or the laws. Family is blood, and people view blood as more important than justice at times. We trust our families the most. We expect them to accept us no matter what, and Val wants the same from his family. He wants them to see that what he is doing by lying is fighting to not leave them. Had Val not had any children or a wife to support, the entire plot of the play could have been totally different.
SLB Split Second
You may earn a maximum of 3 points toward your final grade by doing the above and answering the questions and submitting them on time (no later than Friday, September 15). Any worksheets submitted after the deadline will get a 0.
You will be rewarded a maximum of 3 points if I judge your work to be above average. You will receive 2 points if your work is average, that is it may have a few minor mistakes in some of the answers but demonstrates correct grammar and indicates that some, but not all, of the answers, are acceptable and well expressed. You will earn only 1 point if you simply answered the questions and/or if you use poor grammar and if there are signs that you have not read the material on which your answers are based.
1. In the space below, describe the stasis at the beginning of Split Second. In other words, “Where are we?” “When is it (time, day, and year)?” “Who are the people involved?” “What is the dramatic situation in which the characters find themselves as the play unfolds?”
The play opens in the morning on the side street of 28th and 11th Avenue in New York City on July 4th. An African-American policeman, Val Johnson, and a white citizen named Willis are on the side street. Val is aiming his service revolver at Willis and both men are panting. They had just been in a foot chase. There is great tension on stage, because Val could shoot anytime. Val is yelling at Willis to "freeze" and is mocking him. Willis acts as if he is slightly annoyed by the rough word and actions. So he turns to confront Val and tries to calm him down. Ultimately, Val takes the shot.
2. What is the intrusion that causes the stasis to be broken and the dramatic action to develop, often at an increasingly rapid pace, to the end of the play? Be careful when citing the intrustion, it may not be where you initially think it is.
The intrusion in the plot occurs when Val lies to Parker. Parker continues to try to get Va to tell him what he is withholding. Following this event, Val continues to lie and lie. The lies snowball, and Val feels he can do nothing now but lie. This forces him into intense situations of interrogations by others, and honestly himself. The lie intimate conflict with himself and others and society. His position and integrity are questioned. Now, eventually he tells the truth, but that moment could be interpreted as the climax, where the lie acts as the intrusion because it causes the lies and finally the truth. Everything is born form the lies of Val, thus it springs the play into the plot and dramatic action.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor which is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place?
This day is unique, because it is the day that Val shoots Willis. Also, it is the 4th of July. This could be chosen as the date to act as a metaphor of how when Val shoots Willis he loses his independence instead of gains it. It is not often that a policeman shoots someone. Though Val was trained for anything, there is still such a low chance of it ever happening. Someone being shot by an officer in modern day America often times becomes very political. Thus the more "present" day setting showcases the issues that spur from an officer shooting a citizen.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
Will Val tell the hearing committee the truth? The whole play goes to one person to another with the audience hoping Val will tell the truth. Yet, he never does until he finally confides and cracks. Parker stresses the importance of having a coherent story for the committee, and the audience is thus worried about what Val will do when he is finally forced to face the committee and give his account.
5. Use Val to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, that is, dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what Val wants (NOTE: In Split Second the wants of Val are in flux and he is being swayed by his father, his wife, his friend, and his colleague at work. His wants seem to change as the play progresses). The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that the character encounters.
Val wants to try to forget what happened with Willis and him. He tries to avoid talking about it. He ultimately ends up lying to his closest friends and family in order to try to avoid what happened. The struggle he faces in trying to accept what he did forces him to turn away from others. He attacks himself, and he just wants t pretend nothing ever happened. As he makes up fallacious stories about what happened he makes others wary of him. Also, he sees them as possibly bringing what he did to focus to him. This conflict between individuals creates a lot of suspense and conflict between characters. Furthermore, Val begins to come to terms with what he did. He admits the truth and he wants to be rid of his internal feelings. He must stand before the internal hearing committee, and this is something he is very worried about. The play prepares for this point, and he faces society when he is in front of the committee because what he did is open to the world to judge.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Split Second.
7. Provide at least three examples of images in Split Second. How does the title of the play help us understand the images in the play? (Remember Ball says that, “An image is the use of something we know that tells us something we don’t know.” He goes on to say that images invoke and expand, rather than define and limit.”)
8. Ordinarily, there are many themes in most plays. List the themes in Split Second.
9. Most American plays have something to do with family and/or family relationships. What does family have to do with the dramatic action in Split Second?
Val bases his decision to withhold the truth form the committee on his family. He believes it is so important that he is able to provide for his family. He cannot do this if he is convicted by the committee. He confides in his family, and they act as what some may call collaborators. This play showcases that family bonds are often more important to us than the truth or the laws. Family is blood, and people view blood as more important than justice at times. We trust our families the most. We expect them to accept us no matter what, and Val wants the same from his family. He wants them to see that what he is doing by lying is fighting to not leave them. Had Val not had any children or a wife to support, the entire plot of the play could have been totally different.